Chapter 907: No Master-Disciple Title but Master-Disciple Reality

For Ji Yuan and Zuo Wuji, the dinner at Li Ping's mansion was merely a formality. This was mainly because they had other things on their minds. While they maintained basic politeness, that was all. Li Ping tried several times during the dinner to subtly ask questions, but Zuo Wuji was exhausted and disoriented, often failing to respond.

However, Li Ping did not perceive this reaction as rude; instead, he considered it the demeanor of a distinguished master. He had also heard Li Feng mention that the Martial Saint was still unaccustomed to the local language. It was Li Feng who noticed that something seemed off with Zuo Wuji. Ji Yuan, throughout the entire meal, simply focused on eating and drinking, and discreetly signaled Li Feng not to engage him in conversation, acting as a fitting companion.

As soon as the banquet ended, Zuo Wuji returned to his room and immediately fell asleep. This time, he truly entered a deep slumber, remaining unconscious for an entire month, not even waking to thunder. He would only stir if danger approached.

During Zuo Wuji's deep sleep, the first half was spent recovering his spirit, while the latter half occasionally brought dreams. These dreams primarily involved discussions on martial arts with Ji Yuan and Zhu Yan, and even his inner energy would react and circulate through his body to varying degrees.

Throughout that month, servants from the mansion frequently checked on Zuo Wuji, and even Li Ping occasionally visited in person. However, Grandmaster Zuo remained in "seclusion."

Nevertheless, Li Feng continued to frequent this courtyard daily, staying by Ji Yuan's side, watching him write and engaging him in conversation, just as he did today.

"Mr. Ji, why do you write the same calligraphy piece every day? And why do you keep smearing it?"

Li Feng sat at the table, resting his chin in his hand, watching Ji Yuan ink the "Sword Intent Scroll" once more. The small characters on the scroll, like Li Feng, had been silent during this period, all in a state of secluded cultivation and recovery.

"These characters consume ink, just as you need to eat to grow."

"Oh, so are good ink sticks like more delicious food?"

Ji Yuan glanced at Li Feng, then nodded with a smile.

"A teachable child indeed!"

Li Feng also smiled, then turned to look at Zuo Wuji's room across the way, its door still tightly shut.

"Mr. Ji, when will Grandmaster Zuo emerge from seclusion? He only taught me that one stance once. And my father has asked me several times; it seems the Emperor wants to invite Grandmaster Zuo to the palace."

Ji Yuan finished inking the last character on the "Sword Intent Scroll," then put it away in his sleeve and looked up at Zuo Wuji's dwelling.

"He will wake up soon."

Not long after the words fell, Zuo Wuji in the opposite room opened his eyes. He lay on the bed, breathing deeply for a long time, his mind still somewhat hazy as he recalled his dreams. After a while, he sat up and stretched with both hands.

"Crackling sounds..."

His bones and muscles crackled, and Zuo Wuji rose from the bed. A month ago, he had slept in his clothes, so he didn't need to dress now.

"Phew... I don't know how long I've slept, but I finally feel my spirit has largely recovered."

Zuo Wuji swung his fists left and right, creating gusts of wind, then went to the door and opened it.

"Grandmaster Zuo, you've emerged from seclusion?"

Li Feng excitedly ran out of Ji Yuan's room and rushed to Zuo Wuji's side. Zuo Wuji stepped out of his room, stretched widely again, breathing in the fresh air, feeling as light as if he had shed a massive burden.

"Yes, I'm out!"

With that, Zuo Wuji cupped his hands and bowed to Ji Yuan, who was observing him with his spiritual vision wide open.

Whether it's the magical power of an immortal or the demonic power of a demon cultivator, upon reaching a certain high realm, their aura and techniques contain only their true spirit. The flow of power they possess is intimately linked with themselves, even serving as another dimension of their physical body and primal energy, imbued with spiritual essence—this can be called true essence breath.

Therefore, according to some ancient traditions, "true essence" is sometimes used to denote pure and profound magical power and spiritual grace, or simply to refer to the magical power of a master.

Zuo Wuji's True Qi and Martial Aura had long merged and integrated. On this foundation, he had truly connected with the inner and outer realms. While he couldn't harness the power of heaven and earth like immortal cultivators, it allowed every move and stance in his martial arts to subtly align with the universe. In Ji Yuan's view, this could also be called Martial True Essence.

At this moment, Ji Yuan clearly perceived Zuo Wuji's true essence regularly moving or resting in various acupuncture points throughout his body. Some of these points should have caused considerable pain, yet judging by Zuo Wuji's relaxed demeanor and his excited conversation with Li Feng, no discomfort was apparent.

This did not mean Zuo Wuji felt no pain; rather, he suppressed all agony deep within his spirit, preventing it from showing, through his astonishing willpower and endurance.

In Ji Yuan's fully open spiritual vision, some of Zuo Wuji's acupuncture points, from head to toe, resembled stars in the sky. They flickered and connected according to the sequence of true essence impulses, forming various constellation-like patterns. His vital energy and blood would occasionally surge like rampaging beasts under these circumstances.

Zuo Wuji now stood at the forefront of martial arts. Even Ji Yuan and Zhu Yan could only offer guidance from the sidelines. Thus, even though Zuo Wuji had a clear direction, there was only a goal ahead, no paved path; he had to forge his own way through trials and tribulations.

This process would certainly not be easy, fraught with various difficulties. For instance, with Zuo Wuji's current cultivation method, he, as the pioneer, had to discover all the painful and erroneous points through trial and error before he could guide future generations on the correct path.

"Grandmaster Zuo, my father asked me to tell you that the Emperor has issued an edict inviting you to the palace."

Li Feng chatted with Zuo Wuji for a long time about the past month and also mentioned his diligent basic training. After a while, he suddenly remembered an important matter his father had entrusted him with and conveyed Emperor Xiayong's decree.

Zuo Wuji found this quite amusing.

"I am not a subject of Xiayong, nor have I violated any of their laws. Why should I go to the palace to see their Emperor just because he summons me?"

Li Feng immediately found this reasoning very sound.

"Exactly, it's not like the Emperor of Dazhen is summoning you."

Zuo Wuji added, with a slightly awkward expression:

"Even if the Emperor of Dazhen summoned me, I might not necessarily go."

Li Feng's expression immediately changed.

"Exactly! Why should one go just because the Emperor summons?"

This exchange made Ji Yuan chuckle. These two together were truly amusing. As he was smiling, Li Ping happened to rush towards the courtyard gate.

Servants had been guarding the courtyard entrance, and everyone knew of Zuo Wuji's awakening. Naturally, someone quickly informed Li Ping, who, being in the mansion, immediately put aside his affairs and hurried over.

"Congratulations, Grandmaster Zuo, on emerging from seclusion!"

Li Ping bowed as he approached, his expression appearing very sincere. Zuo Wuji also returned the gesture, repeatedly saying, "You are too kind, Lord Li."

"Uh, Feng'er, did you tell Grandmaster Zuo?"

Li Ping looked at Li Feng, who immediately changed his expression again, answering obediently:

"Yes, Father, I just told him..."

Li Ping nodded, maintaining the cupped-hand gesture as he drew closer to Zuo Wuji.

"Grandmaster Zuo, your renown now shakes the world. His Majesty heard from Immortal Master Tang that you were residing in my mansion, so he summoned me to inquire about it. Li Ping dared not conceal anything. Upon learning of the Martial Saint's presence, His Majesty was greatly pleased and thus issued an edict hoping that the Martial Saint would grace the palace with a visit. Rest assured, it's not to recruit you as an official, but rather..."

Li Ping meticulously relayed the words he had prepared, which essentially outlined the numerous benefits the Xiayong Dynasty was offering Zuo Wuji: not only money and provisions, but also land and personnel. They even expressed willingness to help him establish a martial arts training ground on a renowned mountain or in a famous city. In short, it was an array of advantages.

Zuo Wuji nodded.

"Please convey to your Emperor, Lord Li, that I am deeply honored by his appreciation. However, I am merely a rough martial artist from the jianghu, unfit for such grand occasions, so I shall not trouble the Golden Hall."

Just as Li Ping was about to speak, Zuo Wuji raised his hand and continued.

"Furthermore, your son, Li Feng, suits my temperament very well. I wish to take him with me to practice martial arts. What do you think, Lord Li?"

Although Li Feng wanted to apprentice under Ji Yuan, Zuo Wuji had already decided to take him on, despite not formally adopting him as a disciple.

Li Feng, standing by, beamed with joy but managed to suppress his laughter. He could already imagine all sorts of fun and novel experiences, and crucially, he could escape all the people and things he disliked.

"Uh, may I ask where the Martial Saint plans to take Feng'er?"

Zuo Wuji answered truthfully.

"There is no fixed destination. It's simply for martial arts practice and cultivation. We will go wherever is suitable, perhaps traveling across the entire world."

Li Ping was stunned for a moment, then asked another question a few breaths later.

"Grandmaster Zuo, how many disciples do you have?"

"Not a single one yet."

Hearing Zuo Wuji's reply, Li Ping felt both joy and hesitation. Seeing Li Feng's seemingly eager gaze, he finally gritted his teeth and nodded.

"For the Martial Saint to favor Feng'er and allow him to travel the world learning martial arts under your guidance is a blessing for both Feng'er and my Li family. How could Li Ping disagree!"

"This is great—this is great! I can go out and play!"

Li Feng immediately jumped up with joy, while Li Ping felt a mix of happiness and melancholy. He was sad that Feng'er was so young yet leaving home, and also worried about how to explain it to the Emperor. On the other hand, it would be easier to address Immortal Master Tang, as the Emperor had previously expressed hope for Li Feng to become a disciple of the Martial Saint, making it a command that could not be disobeyed.

That afternoon, in the Imperial Study of the Xiayong Palace, Li Ping, who had entered the palace alone, stood before the imperial desk with several ministers and immortal masters.

"What? That Zuo Wuji refuses to see me? Did you not explain it clearly?"

Emperor Xiayong, looking ruddy and vigorous, immediately showed displeasure upon hearing that Zuo Wuji had refused to enter the palace.

"Uh, Your Majesty, your humble servant said everything there was to say, but Martial Saint Zuo reacted indifferently, clearly showing little interest in such worldly possessions."

The Emperor frowned and looked at Elder Monk Moyun nearby.

"Grand Tutor, do you have any good strategies?"

Elder Monk Moyun also had a deep frown.

"Your Majesty, Martial Saint Zuo is ultimately a martial artist and is unwilling to be constrained."

"I have no intention of restricting him in the slightest. If he just comes to see me and expresses his gratitude, he can have everything he desires!"

One of the immortal masters nearby shook his head slightly and spoke directly.

"Your Majesty, everything you speak of is clearly not what Martial Saint Zuo desires."

"Then what does he want?"

At this question from the Emperor, no one spoke. The immortal masters seemed disinclined to discuss such extraordinary topics with the Emperor, and even Elder Monk Moyun only quietly chanted Buddhist scriptures. Li Ping hesitated before speaking.

"Your humble servant has spoken with Martial Saint Zuo at length. What he seeks is likely nothing more than a breakthrough in martial arts and the challenge of pushing his own limits."

Immortal Master Tang, on the side, his eyes slightly flickering, glanced at Zhu Yan next to him. Seeing Zhu Yan nod, he hesitated for a moment before suddenly suggesting:

"How about this: use the excuse that Li Feng is still young and must remain in the capital. Since Zuo Wuji wants to take him as a disciple, if we don't let Li Feng leave, Zuo Wuji will have no choice but to stay."

Li Ping was startled.

"No, that won't do! A figure like Martial Saint Zuo, if treated this way, might simply leave on his own, and Feng'er's opportunity to become his disciple would be lost."

"If he were to leave simply because of that, would it not suggest he wasn't sincere in taking a disciple?"

Zhu Yan also spoke up at this moment. Immortal Master Tang did not want to lose Li Feng, while Zhu Yan did not want Zuo Wuji to leave.

Another immortal master also agreed:

"Precisely. If we immortals take a disciple, we first test their resolve, then seek a perfect karmic connection."

Li Ping looked at them, then at the Emperor's expression, thinking to himself that this was not good. He could only turn to the Grand Tutor for help. Fortunately, Elder Monk Moyun spoke up for him.

"Praise be to the Great King Buddha. Your Majesty, Lord Li's words are reasonable. If Li Feng can become Martial Saint Zuo's disciple, and his first disciple at that, he will surely acquire a significant portion of martial arts fortune. Moreover, Li Feng's family and parents are all here, just as Dazhen dares to proclaim that both the Civil and Martial Saints reside within Dazhen. Li Feng will always remain a subject of our Xiayong Dynasty... Your Majesty, if we truly force Li Feng to stay, and something untoward were to happen, then everything would be lost!"

Elder Monk Moyun held a crucial position in the Xiayong Dynasty and had watched the Emperor grow up. Upon hearing his words, the Emperor pondered carefully, then nodded.

"The Grand Tutor's considerations are indeed more comprehensive..."

As he left the Imperial Study, Li Ping repeatedly thanked Elder Monk Moyun, while the other immortal masters on the side frequently shook their heads. Zhu Yan's gaze towards Elder Monk Moyun was particularly meaningful.